Experience authentic Georgian elegance is this unique large OVAL studio apartment, overlooking park. Accommodates two in cosy sleeping loft. Light a fire, cook dinner in the designer kitchen, and then head out to enjoy the attractions of the city.

Come stay in one of Dublin's unique Georgian apartments, a perfect oval room, situated on Mountjoy Square, in the heart of Dublin's North Georgian core, and just minutes from O'Connell Street.
This large studio apartment is on the ground floor of a beautiful redbrick townhouse, built in 1792. Both house and apartment retain all their original features, combined with modern comforts.
The apartment has a fantastic 10ft window and overlooks a quiet side street, with an oblique view of the park. It has a working black Kilkenny marble fireplace with a spectacular gilt over-mantle mirror. The log basket is fully stocked with fuel- we charge cost price on an 'honour system'. The fully equipped kitchen has a granite worktop, a gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher and microwave.
The rest of the apartment is comfortably furnished with period furniture including a Georgian oval 'hunt' dining table and four matching chairs, a comfortable 6 ft., sofa, TV & DVD player along with an iPod/iPhone dock for music. A small library of Irish books, and DVD's is available.
The bedroom is upstairs and overlooks the apartment. It has a comfortable contract-quality double bed, Siberian white goose down duvet and pillows and pure Pima/Egyptian cotton sheets. Read in comfort with vintage Anglepoise reading lights. PLEASE NOTE there is restricted headroom in the sleeping loft, and consequently, the bed is low. ALSO, while the apartment faces a relatively quiet side street, it is on the corner of a fairly busy main road, so there will be traffic noise....
A 90cm contract-quality single bed, and extra linens are available for a third guest. A charge of €10, to cover the cost of the extra laundry, will be collected upon arrival, if the room is occupied as a twin.
The bathroom has a high-pressure shower and loads of storage space.
•You will receive a welcome pack of the basics- quality tea, coffee, home-made granola and preserves, yoghurt, fresh fruit, free-range eggs and fresh brown soda bread.
•100% cotton bed linen and towels are provided
•Local tourist information and guide books available
•Free wi-fi
•Hair dryer
•Fuel, at cost price, is available for the fire, if required.
•Washing machine and dryer are available in the building- €7.50
•Secure off-street parking is available for €5 per night
CHECK-IN IS FROM 2pm, but we are happy to take in your bags AFTER 9am, and can give you keys to come aback at your leisure, after 2pm. CHECK-OUT IS BY 11AM, please.
The house is perfectly located for exploring the city; all of the city's cultural institutions are within walking distance and the transport connections are excellent.
Airport bus (41) passes door, 8 min. walk to LUAS Red line, DART, (Connolly and Tara) and city busses. Dublin Bikes stand opposite house.
KARIN'S GUIDE TO THE CITY
LOCAL GROCERY SHOPPING, SERVICES AND BREAKFAST OPTIONS
In general, shopping hours are 9.30-6pm, with late-night shopping till 8pm on Thursdays. Sunday opening is from noon.
BREAKFAST
The Old Music Store on North Frederick Street, a few blocks NW of us, does a good Irish breakfast in comfortable surroundings. The Kingfisher Café, a no-frills 'caff' on the corner of Parnell Square and Parnell Street West is good for breakfast, with friendly and efficient service. Good value, and good fish and chips later in the day.
LOCAL GROCERY SHOPPING
Tops in Pops, just down the street to the right, for fresh local produce and basic groceries, 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. They are a fourth-generation local business, who have been trading on the site since 1931. The Londis corner store next door opens 8am to 10pm, but charge for privilege. There is an ATM machine at the back, right hand side of the store.
Dunne's Stores, is the indigenous supermarket and department store chain, and has branches in every sizeable town throughout the country. There are two local branches. In North Earl Street, opposite O’Connell Street’s Spire, the Off-Licence (liquor store) is in a separate premises, a few doors apart - look for the James Joyce statue. You will find a bigger branch in the ILAC Shopping Centre, flanked by Henry Street, Moore Street and Parnell Street West (Moore Street entrance is opposite Paris Bakery).
There is Metro Tesco on Parnell Street West, just past the Rotunda Hospital. A main branch is to be found in the basement of the Jervis Centre, off Henry Street.
Carney’s Butchers, is another multi-generational local family business, which prides itself on the quality of its meat. In keeping with local tradition, they sell fresh fish on Friday’s.
F.X. Buckley’s Butchers have two local branches; Moore Street and Talbot Street. This is a very old Dublin business and they have everything; free-range pork, beef and lamb from their own herds, poultry, game in season and fish, and, in the Moore Street branch, a deli counter for cooked meats next door. They are very obliging, and the lads have a great line in smart (sassy) chat.
PHARMACIES
Foley's Pharmacy on Parnell Street East is a 100+ year-old family business; they are very helpful. Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am 6pm.
There is a late-night pharmacy, Hickey’s at 55 Lower O’Connell Street, (west side, within the block closest to the river). Opening hours: 8am -10pm M-F, 8.30am-10pm Saturday. 10am 10pm Sunday. Web: (EMAIL HIDDEN)
POST OFFICES
Nearest Post Office is Parnell Street East, at corner of Marlborough Street, but much nicer is the GPO, O’Connell Street. 1828 façade, but badly damaged in the 1916 Rising, and largely rebuilt in 1928. The main hall is beautiful, with its entire original, 1928, fittings intact. It also contains the iconic statue, by Oliver Shepherd, The Dying Cuchullin. You will find a booklet with postal rates in the black folder.
BANKS
Allied Irish Bank has a branch on O’Connell Street, at the SW junction with Parnell Street, opposite the Rotunda Hospital. ATM in the wall.
Bank of Ireland has a branch at Lower O’Connell Street, on the east side of the street, between Middle Abbey Street and Ashton Quay. ATM inside, opens
MEDICAL AND DENTAL PRACTICES
Mountjoy Medical Practice, Dr. Gerry Roebuck, Dr. Holly Porter (female) Dr. Colm Killeen. 2-3 Baker’s Yard, Portland Street North. Tel (PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN).
Opening hours 9-1.30 and 3.30-5.30. You can just drop in. €50 per visit.
Frederick Dental Clinic, Dr. Peter Dwyer, North Frederick Street.
-My dentist- is happy to see people on an emergency basis. Call for appointment.
Tel:(PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN).
NORTHSIDE
LOCAL RESTAURANTS:
My favourite local is W. J. Kavanagh's on Dorset Street, just two blocks north of us, on the main road to the airport. It's an old Dublin pub, which has undergone a gentle transformation - a huge selection of craft beers, and a small, artisan-based seasonal menu. very laid back and no tourists.
'The Cobalt Cafe', in a beautiful Georgian house on North Great Georges Street, which doubles as a gallery, is great for lunch. Parnell Street, Dublin's emerging 'Chinatown' is just a half a block to the south. Newly opened, on Parnell Square West is 'The Hot Stove', serving modern Irish food in a smart and comfortable setting.
Across O'Connell Street, on Moore Street, you will find the Paris Bakery, and (new) Deli. They serve all day, until 10 pm; superb pastries and great coffee from 8am, as well as excellent bistro-style meals, and fantastic bread.
Nearer the river, 'Le Bon Crubeen' (crubeen=pig's trotter- it's a modern Franco-Irish restaurant) is on Talbot Street, as is the venerable and immensely popular 'Talbot 101'. It is packed to the gunnels with locals between 5.54 and 7.15, enjoying their pre-theatre supper before the Abbey curtains rise at 7.30, when they relinquish their seats for the rest of us!
On the riverfront, I love Panem, facing the Millennium Bridge, for a quick coffee and a delicious Sicilian almond biscuit, baked on the premises. A few doors down, you'll find a cluster of Italian bars, cafes and restaurants serving good quality food. Half a block to the east is the trendy 'Winding Stairs' restaurant, with its book-lined walls (relics of a former second-hand bookshop-cum-cafe of the same name), while The Woollen Mills, opposite the Halfpenny Bridge, has a sophisticated casual menu, based on 'plates' for sharing.Back on Capel Street, locals rave about Brother Hubbard for lunch.
LOCAL PUBS include the 'Hill 16' just opposite the house, on Gardiner Street - very popular with the GAA crowd on match days (the Gaelic Athletic Association Stadium, Croke Park, is just 3 blocks to the east), they pull a superb 'pint'. ‘The Heritage Parnell’, on Parnell Street West, just around the corner from O’Connell Street 'The Flowing Tide', on the corner of Marlborough Street, opposite the Abbey Theatre, is one of my favorites - after the curtain goes down in the Abbey, half the cast are likely to be at the bar. A few doors closer to O’Connell Street is Mulligan’s, another very nice pub, dating from the Edwardian era. 'The Church' on Mary Street, in a converted 1720's church, is another fine place for a drink; the former owner won many accolades for the high quality of the restoration. Capel Street has many typical local pubs, which have the added benefit of serving a largely local population. They include Mc’Neill’s' which is good for traditional music, and Slattery's . 'The Black Sheep' has the local craft beers covered, and does good bar food, (as does its sister pub, ‘The Brew Dock’, on Store Street, at the bottom of Gardiner Street. The north side traditional music 'musician’s' bar is 'The Cobblestone', at the top of Smithfield, and is suitably grungy.
DEPARTMENT STORES AND FASHION
Henry Street, off O’Connell Street, at the SPIRE, is the premier shopping street on the north side of the river. Here you will find Arnott’s the local department store, which highlights Irish fashion and design, throughout the store, and has several nice cafes. Henry Street also contains large branches of Debenhams and Marks&Spencers, as well as branches of most of the high street fashion chains. There are two large shopping centres, the Jervis, with a large branch of Tesco’s in the Basement, and the ILAC, which has a Dunnes Department Store, with a Food Hall in the basement. (You can shop for fresh produce on adjacent Moore Street, Dublin's oldest street market, now also home to a thriving cluster of ethnic food markets and restaurants.) Clery’s Department Store is on O’Connell Street- have a look at the elegant 1940’s neo-classical façade, a mini version of Selfridges’s in London.
NORTHSIDE CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
The North side of Parnell Square is home to the city's Hugh Lane Gallery of Modern Art; we share a significant collection of Impressionist painting with the Tate Gallery in London, part of the Hugh Lane Bequest, which is rotated in seven-year cycles. Next door is the Writer's Centre, and next door again, is the Writer's Museum, with a Michelin-starred restaurant in the basement, the amazing Chapter One. Down on the East side of Parnell Square is the beautiful jewel-box that is the Gate Theatre - part of the 18th-century entertainment complex established by the entrepreneurial Dr. Bartholomew, to help support his new Rotunda Maternity Hospital (the oldest purpose-built such hospital in the world, and still delivering babies on a daily basis, 270 years later (9000 is 2012).
You could be seated in either the Abbey or Gate Theatres within 10 minutes of leaving the house, and the James Joyce Cultural Centre is even closer, on North Great Georges Street (don't forget to check out the Cobalt Cafe, opposite).
Hop on the Luas Red Line, going west, in Abbey Street, halfway between Mountjoy Square and the river, and you will be dropped at the ‘Museum’. The National Museum, Collins Barracks, housed in an old military barracks, dating from 1702, contains the Decorative Arts Collections, (basically, everything post 1700). Descend at the next stop, ‘Heuston’ for IMMA, Ireland's National Museum of Modern Art, housed in the old Kilmainham Hospital, built in the1660’s. It pre-dates the more famous Chelsea Hospital in London by several years.
Not to be missed is the Old Jameson Distillery, in Smithfield. Jameson was distilled here until 1971, when three historic distilleries amalgamated, and centralized distilling in Midleton, Co. Cork. The Museum is very well presented; one is guided around the distilling floor, among the huge old pot stills before retiring to the Bar to sample the goods.
Nearby is one of the oldest churches in Dublin, St.Michan’s, on Church Street, dating from the mid-11thc. There are several mummified bodies in the basement, thought to be Crusaders. When I was a child, one was allowed to shake their hands…..
SOUTHSIDE
In the south city centre, the RESTAURANT HUB is in the pedestrian streets to either side of Grafton Street, and in Temple Bar. Particular favourites of mine include:
* Nede, Temple Bar Square
* Eden Bar and Grill, South William Street
* The Green Hen, Wicklow Street
* Fallon and Byrne, Exchequer Street, basement wine-bar, full service restaurant first- floor, and coffee bar within the food-hall on the ground floor.
* Fade Street Social, Fade Street, tapas bar and full-service restaurant.
* The Rustic Stone, Exchequer Street, upmarket, sophisticated and healthy ‘fast food’.
* Cornucopia, Wicklow Street- vegetarian café day, full service by evening.
* The Port House, South William Street, wine bar and tapas.
* Pinxto, Crowe Street, Temple Bar, as above, same management.
Southside city-centre TRADITIONAL PUBS we like are:
* Mulligan's, Poolbeg Street
* Neary's, Chatham Street
* Grogan’s, South William Street
* International Bar, Wicklow Street
* O'Neill's, Suffolk Street
* The Dawson Lounge, Dawson Street
* The Stag's Head, Connaught Court
* The Long Hall, South Great Georges Street
* Doheny and Nesbitt’s, Merrion Row
* Kehoe’s, South Anne Street
* The Duke, Duke Street
Fronting the river, TEMPLE BAR, with its vibrant mix of independent shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, markets and cultural institutions occupies an area three blocks deep and ten blocks long. At the western end, look out for the two branches of the Queen of Tarts- a wonderful teas shop that offers really good home baking and teas and coffees, all served on mismatched antique china (Lord Edward Street and Cow's Lane).
TEMPLE BAR FARMERS MARKET, is held every Saturday in Meeting House Square, 9-4.30, now has a smart new tensile roof for wet days, and is a good place to rub shoulders with the locals, whilst sampling local food culture. Don’t miss the Oyster Stall, Hick’s Pork Butchers, or David Llewyllan’s fantastic ‘Double L’ local cider- 100% apple (not even water), and the two local cheese stalls, among others. Don’t’ forget to check out the overflow stalls on Curved Street, where Rossa Crowe’s fantastic bread is on offer- Rossa took himself off to France for two years to train, and now produces slow fermented breads, made with the very best organic flours.
TRINITY COLLEGE is a good orientation point; from here it is easy to find the mediaeval core, the cultural/political hub of the country around Kildare Street, and the Grafton Street fashion hub.
The campus occupies a 40-acre (16ha.) site, and is over 400 years old, though what one sees today are mainly beautiful eighteenth-century buildings. It is worth a wander around, after a visit to spectacular Long Library, to see the Book of Kells and other illustrated Celtic manuscripts.
From Front Gate, look south to Grafton Street or west up College Green and Dame Street, which lead to the mediaeval core. At the brow of the hill you will find:
* Dublin Castle (visit the State Apartments, the Chester Beatty Library and the lovely garden in front (which is actually the helicopter-landing pad for the Castle).
* The City Hall with its 'Museum of the Capital' in the basement is worth a look- the Hall is free, and there is a nominal charge for the Museum.
* Christchurch Cathedral
* Dublinia-in the Christchurch Chapterhouse (Viking Exhibition).
* Old Saint Audeon's Church, built almost into the city wall.
* St Patrick's Cathedral, and historic park beside.
* Marshe's Library-the oldest public library in these islands, 1701.
* Francis Street- the Antiques Quarter.
* Thomas Street/Meath Street, for a touch of 'Old Dublin'.
* The Guinness Storehouse.
* Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, (IMMA) Ireland's National Gallery of Modern Art, with its wonderful, recently restored formal garden.
KILMINHAM GAOL is worth a visit, and tells the story of Irish Nationalism. It can be reached via the grounds of IMMA, passing Bully’s Acre, and old graveyard, where Brian Boru was reputedly rested on his way to his final burial place in Armagh.
Alternatively, exit onto Nassau Street, with its cluster of high-quality shops showcasing the best of Irish crafts - fashion, knitwear, weaving, glassware, ceramics and contemporary jewellery - the Kilkenny Shop has a great cafe upstairs, with views over College Park.
Continue along the College Park railings till you reach Kildare Street, the cultural-institutional hub of the country. All of our national cultural institutions have free admission. Here you will find the National Library, and the National Museum, facing each other over the forecourt of Leinster House, home to the Oireachtas, our National Parliament. The National Library has a lovely exhibit on the poet, W.B. Yeats, and the Treasury, in the National Museum houses both the Bronze Age and Early Christian collections.
On the opposite side of the block, on Merrion Street/Merrion Square, you will find the National Gallery, and the Natural History Museum (known to Dubliner's of my father's generation, as 'The Dead Zoo’. This is a very refreshing look to the past, with absolutely no interpretation, and nothing, not even a postcard, to buy).
The National Gallery is halfway through a four-year renovation programme; in the meantime, the Millennium Wing, on Clare Street, has a ‘highlights of’ exhibition, and the Café and Gift Shop are also accessed via the Clare Street Entrance.
GETTING AROUND
Two operators offer Hop-On/Hop-Off tours:
(URL HIDDEN)
(URL HIDDEN)
They both offer a 2-day ticket, and cost roughly the same price - check them out online before you make up your mind.
One can buy an integrated LEAP card in most newsagents, at train stations, and in the Dublin Bus Head Office at 42 O’Connell Street (on the west side of the street, just north of the Spire). This can be used on the LUAS, DART, some suburban mainline trains, and on Dublin Bus routes.
There is also a 3-day tourist pass, the Freedom Ticket, which provides good value. €28 will give you 72 hours transport, starting at the Airport; Airlink from the airport, the Hop-On-Hop –Off tourist bus and all local bus routes. Web: (URL HIDDEN)
•The DART, the local electric commuter train, runs north/south along the coast. The northside city centre station is Connolly, on Amiens Street, facing Talbot Street, but I usually suggest people use Tara Street, as Connolly is also a mainline station, and is very big, and a bit confusing. Tara is purely a commuter station, and is about the same distance. It is on George’s Quay, just south of the Custom House. The other south-side city centre station is Pearse, on Westland Row, at the south end of the Trinity campus.
•The LUAS Red Line runs east-west through the north side of the city, as far east as the docks, and serves both Connolly and Heuston mainline stations. The nearest stop to Mountjoy Square is Abbey, on Middle Abbey Street, opposite the Abbey Theatre. The LUAS Green Line serves the south suburbs; Ranelagh, Dundrum, Leopardstown Racecourse, and on out to Cherrywood, on the county boundary with Wicklow.
•Main cross-city bus routes run north-south through O’Connell Street. The No.7 terminates on Mountjoy Square North, and there is a ‘shopper’s fare’ of 50c, to Grafton Street- alight at Trinity. On the return journey it skirts the Trinity campus and comes along Pearse, to the east of the campus - catch it on Clare Street, at the Millennium wing of the National Gallery.
•DUBLIN BIKES are free to use for the first half hour, and have a stand on Mountjoy Square West, but one needs to go to the Princes Street stand (to the right hand side of the General Post Office (GPO)), to purchase a short term card. It costs €2, and is only available to credit card holders.
SHOPPING WITH A DIFFERENCE
Those interested in the local fashion, art and design scene should look out for the following addresses (in no particular order):
•Designist, South Great George's Street (stock chosen for good design)
•Irish Design Store, Drury Street
•Article, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre (housewares)
•Irish Designer Store, Top floor Powerscourt Townhouse Centre
•Cow's Lane Gallery, Temple Bar (artist’s collective)
•The Jam Factory, Nicholas Street (artist’s collective)
•Avoca, Suffolk Street
•Kilkenny Shop, Nassau Street
•Designyard, South Frederick Street (jewellery)
•Louise Kennedy, couturier, Merrion Square, and Tipperary Crystal
•Gallery Zozimus, Francis Street (art gallery and carefully chosen crafts)
•Graphic Studio Gallery, Temple Bar (artist-printmaker’s gallery)
•Malthouse Design Centre and Shop, Distillery Court, 537 North Circular Road, just around the corner from Mountjoy Square (cluster of design-led businesses, 10-5 M-F)
•Magee's of Donegal, Wicklow Street, and,
•Kevin and Howlin, Nassau Street have hand-woven tweeds covered.
•Dubarry's, College Green produce wonderful, country-style outerwear, including the most perfect alternative to sweaty, waterproof Wellington boots…
•Monaghan's, Hibernian Way, the House of Ireland on Nassau Street and the Sweater Shops on Wicklow Street and Nassau Street has the best selections of traditional knitwear. Monaghan's specialise in cashmere.
•Murphy and Sheehy, Castle Market, stock Irish tweed, Irish linen and a quirky selection of designer fabrics. Look out for their ‘Linen Union (linen/cotton blend) Glass Cloths- the best ever for polishing glassware, they make a super, useful, inexpensive and lightweight traditional gift!
•The Cloth Shop, St. William Street, for interesting designer fabric, including a good selection of Irish Linen, and Liberty of London
INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOPS and MUSIC STORES
Eason’s, O’Connell Street, is a Dublin institution for over 100 years. It encompasses a large stationery department, a branch of Tower Records on the top floor, academic books in the basement, a nice café and two floors of general books. It is a good place to browse books of Irish interest, and they have a really good Information Desk.
Chapters, Parnell Street West is my ‘local’. John Gannon is one of the best booksellers in the business, and his staff are hand-picked enthusiastic bibliophiles, one and all. Stock is a mixture of the latest releases, and carefully chosen remaindered books. Their ordering service is superlative, and they ALWAYS know exactly what one is talking about, even with just the vaguest, half-remembered clues from a newspaper review. Very strong on contemporary fiction, natural history, non-fiction and books of Irish interest. Extensive second-hand section upstairs.
The Secret Bookstore, Wicklow Street is another favourite. It’s tucked away down a passage, near the L’Occitane shop and often throws up gems among its large second-hand stock. An eclectic music store occupies the rear of the shop.
Cathach Rare Books, Duke Street, specializes in Irish first editions, and have an interesting selection of Irish maps and prints.
Stokes Books is another interesting antiquarian/secondhand shop, specializing in books of Irish interest. You’ll find it in Georges Street Arcade.
Claddagh Records, Cecelia Street, Temple Bar, is primarily a music publisher, but they have a retail outlet in Temple Bar, which is the oldest independent music shop in Dublin, and specializes in traditional Irish music, with some interesting World Music additions.
The Celtic Note, on Nassau Street, beside the Kilkenny Shop is another good bet.
PLACES OF WORSHIP:
Roman Catholic:
Many Catholic churches have Mass on Saturday evening, in addition to morning Masses.
•St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, Upper Gardiner Street. Gospel Mass, 7.30pm Sundays, September to mid June.
•St. Mary's Metropolitan Church - the Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough. Sung Mass, 11am, Sundays, with the Palestrina Choir.
•St. Joseph’s Church, Berkeley Road, Dublin 7.
•St. Teresa’s Church, Clarendon Street Church, choir sings at 11 o’clock Mass, Sunday’s
•St. Peter’s Church, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, has wonderful Harry Clarke ((PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN)) stained glass windows.
•Whitefriars Street Church, Aungier Street, church has relics of St. Valentine.
Church of Ireland:
•Christchurch Cathedral, Christchurch Place, sung Services Sundays,
•St. Patrick's Cathedral, Nicholas Street, sung Services Sundays.
•St. Anne’s Church, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Jewish:
Dublin Hebrew Congregation
(URL HIDDEN)
Daily services in Synagogue at 32a Rathfarnham Road,
Public Transport:
Buses: (PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN).
Get off at Terenure Cross (road). Walk up Rathfarnham Road, pass AIB Bank and one row of terraced houses; shul is next building, with wooden/metal security gates. Across the street is a shop called Window Fashions.
Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation (DJPC)
Website: (URL HIDDEN)
Email: (EMAIL HIDDEN)
Postal: PO Box 3059, Dublin 6
President: Mrs. Hilary Abrahamson
Muslim:
Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI)
19 Roebuck Road, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14,
Tel: (PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN)
Islamic Foundation of Ireland (IFI)
163 South Circular Road, Dublin 8.
Tel: +(PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN)
Anwar-up-Madina
Moore Street, Dublin 1.
SHORT TRIPS OUTSIDE THE CITY BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
NORTH:
Catch the No.46A bus, (heading north on O'Connell Street to the Phoenix Park- the largest enclosed urban park in the world, 1750 acres behind a seven-mile-long stone wall. Ashtown Castle Interpretive Centre, with its wonderful walled garden and café is a good place to orient oneself. From here, on Saturdays, it is possible to visit Aras an Uachtarian, the official residence of our President. One can also visit Farmliegh, the Official State Guesthouse, a former Guinness mansion. Among it’s attractions are an art gallery, café, occasional free concerts, and regular weekend Farmer’s Markets. The Park also houses the Dublin Zoo, (1827, the second-oldest Zoo in the world, after London’s Regent Park Zoo). Several herd of Fallow Deer roam at liberty.
Many sports are catered for; there is Polo ground, a cricket club, and lots soccer pitches. The Duke of Wellington is commemorated by a marvelous granite obelisk, which can be seen for miles. The area know as the Forty Acres affords superb views over the city, with the Royal Hospital and Guinness in the foreground, along the south side of the River Liffey. Phoenix Park can also be reached via the LUAS Red Line, direction Tallagh, heading west. Alight at 'Museum' and take a detour into the National Museum-Collins Barracks, which houses the Decorative Arts, post-1700, wonderful collections of silver, furniture, glass and other artifacts.
Just up the road, in Glasnevin there are three worthwhile attractions: Glasnevin Cemetary, was founded by Daniel O’Connell as one of his first initiatives, post Catholic Emancipation in 1829, to provide a dignified place for Catholic burial. The Glasnevin Musuem is new, and has superlative displays of Nationalist history. They also have a very good Geneology Department.
The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, date from the end of 18thC. Though relatively small, they contain an internationally-aclaimed collection of plants and three iconic Glasshouses, by Turner of Dublin, which have all been restored in the recent past. There is a nice café in the Gardens, and entry is free. The Gravedigger’s Pub, over-looking a Green, is not to be missed. It got its name from the fact that there used to be a hatch in the rear wall, through which the gravediggers were served. They do nice simple pub food, and one can sit outside on sunny days. Walk back into town, and stop at either the The Botanic Bar at Harte’s Corner or the Brian Borus, typicl local bars. The Porter House, at Cross Guns Bridge, which is a micro-brewery, with nice food, is on the corner of the Royal Canal. Take a stroll east down the canal bank, and you will see swans, and moor-hens going about their business. At the next bridge, at Dorset Street look out for the lifesize bronze statue of Brendan Behan, a local author. From here is just a few minute’s stroll up Belvidere Place, with its charming stepped terraces of tall Georgian houses, to Mountjoy Square.
Another favorite is the Marino Casino, in Fairview/Clontarf, an early 18th century pleasure house, built to the design of Sir William Chambers, for Lord Charlemont, purely for entertaining, also just a few miles by bus, north of the city centre.
Catch the DART, the coastal commuter train, heading north, at Tara Street Station, on the South Liffey quays, at Butt Bridge, and take a short ride. You have the choice of Howth (a working fishing village) or Malahide.
Howth Demesne or Howth Head, behind the village will both afford walks with great views; the Harbour has a dozen restaurants along the quay- ranging from take-out fish and chips to the very upmarket. Book an early-evening window table at Aqua, and be astonished by the sunset over the coast, looking north-west. Another favourite of mine is Deep, midway along the quay (and do watch out for the local tame and greedy Harbour Seal, who begs shamelessly from the trawler men, who tie up alongside).
Malahide is a charming village, with some of the most expensive urban residential properties in the country. Good food and good shopping are to be had here. On the edge of the village you will find Malahide Castle and Demesne, open to the public, which includes a renowned private Arboretum, as Milo de Malahide, the last of his family, (who had occupied the castle continuously since Norman times, in the 10th-12th centuries) was a significant plants-man. The Castle contains the National Portrait Collection, as was as magnificent furniture and other contents. There is a smart new branch of the AVOCA Shop and Café in the Courtyard.
SOUTH:
South of the city you will find Rathfarnham Castle, and its Berkeley Costume and Toy Collection. Marley Park is a little further, just at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. It has wonderful parkland with easy walks, and a magnificent walled garden with a nice cafe. The No.16 bus, from O’Connell Street will leave you close by.
Powerscourt is at the edge of Enniskerry, its associated estate village, at the end of the No.44 bus route, which winds its way through the south side suburbs, into Wicklow, through the Scalp, a deep and picturesque glacial valley. The 19th century gardens are fabulous, and make great use of the 'borrowed landscape' beyond. The terrace and Nepture fountain are centred on the Sugarloaf mountain, which marks the beginning of the Wicklow Mountains. The Powerscourt Waterfall, part of the same estate, is a few miles further on, and there are beautiful, way-marked, woodland and moorland walks in the hills nearby. Do be mindful; these ‘mountains’ can be deceptive- while not high, they can be treacherous, as weather conditions can change in minutes. Stick to the way-marked paths, and do keep an eye on the weather.
Take the DART south to Bray and Greystones - via Dun Loughaire, Dalkey and Killiney - all interesting villages, with many cafes and restaurants.
Killiney Hill, with its eighteenth century obelisk at the summit, is a short climb that results in amazing views over Dublin Bay, and down into the Wicklow Mountains beyond. There is a nice pub in in the ‘village’- ‘The Druid’s Chair’.
Dalkey is a charming village with old-fashioned shops and lots of nice pubs, cafes and restaurants. The local Dalkey Castle Heritage Centre, is worth checking out, and in the summer run a theatre programme, and walking tours.
Bray Esplanade is a classic Victorian seaside amenity, sturdily built from local granite - the perfect place to enjoy an ice-cream. Campo di Fiori, either the Restaurant or the Café, both near the train station and the north end of the Promenade, are particular favourites of mine.
If one is feeling energetic, one could contemplate the Cliff Walk from Bray to Greystones - 4miles/6km along the rough cliff path. Lots of nice pubs for a pint of Guinness at the other end, The Hungry Pear is my favourite café, among many. The DART will take you straight back into the city. But.. make sure to do it in the morning, as by mid-day the path is in shade, and it can be windy and cold.
WEST:
Travelling into the rich plains of Kildare, by the No. 67 bus route, you will come to the historic village of Celbridge, just twelve miles from the city centre. Castletown House is Ireland's finest Palladian mansion, and was saved from destruction by Desmond Guinness, in the early 1960's. He purchased it from the construction company who had acquired it. They intended to demolish it, to make way for a vast suburban housing estate. The Irish Georgian Society, founded by Desmond Guinness, restored the house and furnished it with the help of many volunteers and sponsors, and opened it to the public, a heroic task for a small membership conservation society. Today, it is in State ownership, and it is the flagship Georgian heritage property of Ireland. It is beautifully presented, and the parklands are undergoing restoration.
A local bus, or the commuter train from Connolly Station in Amiens Street, will take one to Maynooth, a charming University town, with another magnificent Palladian mansion, Carton House, now operating as a very upmarket hotel and golf club.
Lots of companies offer day-long coach tours. Some involve very long days, i.e, Cliffs of Moher in Clare and the Giant’s Causeway on the Antrim coast. Two more local, and very worthwhile ones are either:
The Boyne Valley Tour (Newgrange Neolithic ( 5000 yr old World Heritage Site) / Mellifont Cistercian ruins- (12thC.)/ Monasterboice Early Christian (6th-8thC.)
The Wicklow-Glendalough Tour (Powerscourt / Wicklow Mountains National Park and Glendalough (Glen of the Two Lakes) a 6thC. Early Christian site, in beautiful wooded valley.
Details of both of these trips, and others, are available in the big black folder in the apartment.

A beautiful, historic, residential square, built in 1790's, within 5-10 minutes walk of the city centre. Elegance and convenience combined with a bit of inner city grittiness. I have loved it all, since 1978!

Karin's Georgian style studio was perfect for us on our honeymoon in Dublin! We were looking for a more historical, unique alternative to the more modern Air B&Bs that we were finding. The apartment was removed from the action but also close enough to walk wherever you wanted to go- we did all of Dublin by foot!

Sara2017-04-15T00:00:00Z

This is a lovely self-contained apartment for 2, beautifully equipped and decorated, with luxurious bed linen and pillows. Its in a great location, a short walk from the centre and with excellent access to local and airport buses. We were greeted by Karin's niece Orla who made us welcome and showed us the ropes without being overly fussy. Karin had left volumes of detail on local culture, pubs, eateries as well as things in the broader Dublin area. We took one of her recommendations and ate at Fade Street Social on the Friday - that was a good call. The main room is nicely furnished and comfortable - it really has everything you need including a bookcase full of Dublin/Irish authors and travel books. We didn't need to light the fire but it was left ready for us in case. Its lovely to have a place with a kitchen even when on a short break, as you can take advantage of what the local food markets have to offer rather than going out every night. This is one of the better equipped self-catering places I have been to with plenty of pans and decent sharp knives (always a good sign). My husband said he wished we were staying longer, as the bed was so comfortable. Karin warns you that the height on the mezzanine where the bed is, is restricted. Luckily both me and my husband are 5'6'' so had no problem but taller people will need to duck slightly. This was our first ever airbnb - if they are all this standard we would be very lucky. Thanks Karin and Orla, hope we left things as requested and apologies for breaking a glass - there was nothing in the details about what to do about breakages but please get in touch if you require reimbursement. Two minor points: your notes say the bus fare from the airport is 2.60 but it has gone up to 2.80; the instructions for turning off the heating were slightly confusing as the thermostat does not seem to go down to 0. When we arrived the boiler had been turned off at the switch and we did not work that out till the next morning when the heating and hot water had not come on.

Juliet2015-10-05T00:00:00Z

Karin is a good host! Was kindly waiting for us to check in and provided very detailed explanation of things to do in the city

Ioanna2016-12-11T00:00:00Z

This was an amazing stay. The home is beautiful and I highly recommend this beautiful Georgian apartment situated conveniently in Dublin.

Dawn2017-07-17T00:00:00Z

We spent two nights in the Oval studio. The photos are representative of the beautiful apartment in Georgian style. Clean sheets, adequate bathroom, kitchen equipped with all instruments (dishwasher, microwave, etc ..). Ms. Karin welcomed us with great courtesy and availability, giving us an excellent guide, she realized, the points of interest of the city. The apartment is located 25 minutes walk from the center, on the edge of a historic district, beyond which, as Ms. Karin told us, there are several social houses.

Roberta2015-08-12T00:00:00Z

Karin's place is a lovely historic Georgian house and very well situated to discover Dublin. Karin has equipped the place beautifully with all necessary items of good quality. The place it reasonably quiet for a city place. One point, the bed of 140 cm wide is a bit narrow for 2. I would very much recommend Karin's place for a stay in Dublin.

BENOIT2017-08-16T00:00:00Z

My stay in the Georgian Studio was amazing. Karin spent lots of time with a map showing me her favorite places & the best kept secrets of Dublin. The apartment was stunning! Gorgeous furniture, the kitchen was better equipped than my kitchen at home, and the bed had the most heavenly sheets & duvet on earth. Delicious food in the breakfast kit as well. Karin is a true ambassador of her city & her warm, gracious welcome was a lovely first taste of Ireland. I would stay again in a heartbeat.

Angela2013-08-01T00:00:00Z

Karin had put together an enormous amount of information which was sent to us - it was great to have so many recommendations, and she also provided many guide books etc. We loved the Georgian house and the patina of age on the stairs etc. The entrance area felt very warm and welcoming, particularly after the rather "gritty" exterior of the road outside. The Oval shaped studio flat is well equipped, comfortable and surprisingly quiet given the main road outside. It felt safe and cosy inside. It's only about 10 minutes walk to the main part of the town. Some of the areas near the flat feel a bit grimy and run-down but we didn't encounter any trouble, and the flat is very convenient. The bathroom and kitchen were very clean and had everything we needed. Thank you!

Susan2015-04-16T00:00:00Z

Room type

Entire home/apt

Property Type

Apartment

Accommodates

3

Bedrooms

This bright and spacious apartment is located in a Georgian house built in the 1790s and features high ceilings, huge windows and views of leafy Mountjoy Square. It's a five minute walk to historic O'Connell Street and the lively bustle of the city centre, with excellent public transport connections for the airport and for exploring more of Ireland. Come stay in the heart of Dublin and experience the everyday life of the city on your doorstep.

The apartment is located on the first floor of an old Georgian home, overlooking the greenery of Mountjoy Square Park. It most likely served as a drawing room when the house was first built and many of the original period features are still intact. The windows are floor-to-ceiling and south-facing, meaning the apartment is full of natural light throughout the day, even in winter. The open living space is perfect for lounging, reading and relaxing.
There is a fully-equipped kitchen with a microwave, fridge, oven, kettle, toaster and complimentary tea and coffee. The bed is king-sized, the bathroom has an electric power shower and there is high-speed WiFi throughout the premises.

Mountjoy Square is only a stone's throw away from Dublin's main sights, theatres, museums, galleries and parks. The apartment is located just a five minute walk to the top of historic O'Connell Street and the main shopping areas, restaurants and pubs are all within easy walking distance.
The area is also home to many working Dubliners and it's a great place to take in the ordinary life of the city. Just five minutes north of Mountjoy Square is Croke Park, the legendary home of Gaelic games and a hub of excitement and activity whenever there's a match on.

Marianne's place was a great place to end our holiday in Ireland. The apartment is in a great location and with in walking distance to the busy side of Dublin. You get to look out over the park every morning and you are a short distance from shops and dining. Great place to stay if you don't want all the noise from the main drag.

Hamilton2017-05-05T00:00:00Z

Marianne is a fantastic host and her place is beautiful. She was on site to meet us with a guide to the local eateries and shops all printed out, and the apartment is very spacious with soaring ceilings and huge windows, gorgeous. Its less than ten minutes on foot to restaurants and shops (there are small groceries and chip shops even closer) and twenty minutes to downtown. Never once had to take the bus, location is fantastic but the area is also super quiet with a nice park in front. Lots of dishes, utensils, towels etc. If you are looking for a spacious place to stay and quiet but still very accessible to the downtown area, this is the place.

John2017-06-16T00:00:00Z

The apartment is in an historical building with beautiful period furniture and every comfort. It is really quiet and sunny and l recommend it to everybody. Marianna is delicious and available.

Ornella2017-02-05T00:00:00Z

Very beautiful flat in a historic area of Dublin

Frozzie2016-11-06T00:00:00Z

I can not put into words the perfection of this rental. Marianne was extremely accommodating, easily accessible while my luggage was lost and attempting to be found. The apartment is above and beyond luxury. To be able to look out at any room and see the picturesque park directly across the street created that peaceful and tranquil setting not found in the city center. That said, the city center and main areas are a great and close walk. I also took taxies here and there and took the bus 7 to the center which was incredibly easy. The bus sits across the street from the front door. The bed area was so comfortable. It was truly heaven. I definitely recommend this location and will be back without a doubt. Thank you, Marianne!

Vela2016-10-20T00:00:00Z

Marianne's apartment is exactly as on the photos - beautiful, cosy, well-located. It is a great location for a short Dublin visit and would be happy to recommend it! Marianne is very sweet and friendly, a great host.

Kristina2016-11-13T00:00:00Z

Marianne was a great host she met us right when we arrived and gave us the information we needed. The apartment is adorable and the pictures are very accurate. The apartment is about a 15-20 min walk to the main areas which is nice because its quiet. Beautiful view of the park. Really appreciated the use of the kitchen and washer dryer. Would def recommend.

Kat2017-03-03T00:00:00Z

Incredible and spacious apartment. Beautiful, short stroll to nice cafes, parks and famous landmarks. Had an amazing time.

Jesse2017-09-07T00:00:00Z

Room type

Entire home/apt

Property Type

Apartment

Accommodates

2

Bedrooms

This gorgeous room with en-suite is located in a Victorian home, on a quiet street, close to bus stops & walking distance from the city. It's perfect for two people with everything you'd need for a cosy stay. 3 people & a golden retriever live here!

You will have a beautiful double bedroom perfectly suited to two people, with luxurious feather down duvet and pillows, a clean and elegant en-suite bathroom with a great shower in a cosy nicely decorated red-brick terraced house.

The area is peaceful and quiet, just south of the city, but conveniently accessible.
We are just a 10 min walk from Camden Street where you can find lots of nice cafes and pubs to try out and just a 25 minute walk from most of the city's main attractions.

Claire's home is beautiful! The room is just like the pictures! Great location, most tourist areas within walking distance. Shame about the weather but it didn't put a downer on our stay! Rio is a lovely dog, so nice to be greeted by her everytime we came back! Highly recommended! Thanks again Claire!

Cherish2015-01-29T00:00:00Z

Claire was a wonderful host. She provided us with a detailed and helpful packet of information which was invaluable while wandering around Dublin and getting to her place. The apartment is close to many activities and easy to access. The room was stunning, so well decorated and inviting. Claire was accommodating and very responsive. She was quick to write to us or answer any questions. I can't recommend staying with her enough!

Kelly2014-10-20T00:00:00Z

One of the most cosy and comfortable places I've stayed in! It felt like such a home away from home and made me feel like I was a resident in Dublin. Claire and her husband are super friendly and accomodating and their fur baby all welcomed us with open arms. Highly recommend staying here if you are heading to Dublin. Very clean, easy access, great location, safe area, pretty much ticks all the boxes!

Julia2017-09-06T00:00:00Z

Claire is a wonderful, friendly host and her house is lovely (and so is her dog Rio). I highly recommend staying with Claire

Jessica2016-08-23T00:00:00Z

She contacted us before our arrival to confirm arrival time and to make sure we knew how to get there. Once there, we chatted, and she welcomed us with the offer of tea or coffee, info on places of interest nearby, etc. and just general friendly conversation.

Sandy2015-09-07T00:00:00Z

We had a great time in Dublin! Room was clean and looked very nice. Stores for breakfast were closeby. Claire was a lovely host and arranged everything even though she wasn't able to meet us upon arrival. Would stay again!

Eva2016-07-16T00:00:00Z

I hab a great time in Dublin and Claire was a very pleasant host. The house and the room are nice, clean and silent. There are some trendy restaurants around and in 20 min you are at city hall. Everything perfect!!

André2016-10-22T00:00:00Z

Great location and very clean. Claire was very helpful in answering questions and all in all we would use the experience of Air B&B again. Thanks Ian/ Rhona Canada

Ian 2015-10-24T00:00:00Z

Room type

Private room

Property Type

House

Accommodates

2

Bedrooms

A loft apartment of c.1200 sq ft on the 4th floor of beautifully renovated Distillery on the banks of the Tolka River. Any guest is sure to be impressed! Includes 42" Flat screen TV, Home Appliance System & surround sound system! Welcome!!!

Welcome to my home - a spacious loft-style apartment on the 4th floor of a beautifully renovated Distillery on the banks of the Tolka River with 2 bedrooms, one ensuite double room, another one with futon that becomes a double bed and a spacious living room with a comfortable couch that can sleep 2 guests comfortably. In addition a double floor mattress can be provided if it's needed for the 7th guest. If you ask me what makes a place unique, I can easily say the people! If there is a spark, if there is a chemistry between the host and the guests, then the trip becomes unique! I will do my utmost to offer all guests a warm welcome and smile, as well as my willingness to help them and make their trip to Dublin a fantastic experience. Be ready to live your myth!!! :) Look forward to reading your comment on my mirror before your departure, keep smiling!

Conveniently located in the inner Northside suburb Drumcondra, my flat is only minutes from Dublin city centre by bus or bike, or about 25 minutes on foot. Croke Park is less than 5 minutes walking distance, ideal place for fans of concerts and games. The local pubs, shops and restaurants are just down the road and Fairview Park (one of the most beautiful parks in Dublin after the world's famous Phoenix Park) is less than 900 meters and the sea from there less than 10 minutes walk.

Anastazio is an excellent host, always willing to learn and to provide services. He even "criticized" not to use its services !!! That is to say. The apartment is beautiful and close to the town center ... We'll definitely next year. I recommend...

Alain2016-09-22T00:00:00Z

Anastazio greeted and treated me as an old friend and not only as a host. His place has a special character and is comfortable, but in the end of the day it was his unique personality that made a difference.

Hesam2017-04-12T00:00:00Z

Great! Anastazio is a great host, very interesting to take advantage of your stay in Dublin information. as we said, he was "our family" there. Dear crazy cousin, thankssss for everything and the shared guinness !!! highly recommended stay.

Monica 2016-09-09T00:00:00Z

What an amazing trip at Anastazio's appartment! It was absolutly how it looks like in the photos! Moreover, Anastazio is an incredible person : always here if you need some information, gerous with tips and a good person because smart and so friendly! It was my first Airbnb experience, and that was on of my best trip! Thank you again Anastazio, for all what you have done for us two!

Clémence2016-04-08T00:00:00Z

We've had a very warm welcome at Anastazio's. Parking was very comfortable and also coming to town by taxi couldn't have been better. Thanks for the vouchers Anastazio! Room and bathroom we're nicely done and everything we needed was there and more. Would recommend it all time.

Andre 2016-09-16T00:00:00Z

I inquired about a booking very last minute, Anistazio was very prompt and understanding. I had a late check in and early check out, so I feel that I didn't get the full experience. It was definitely a beautiful charming home, but I will say that it was very cold. The other guest and myself tried to adjust the temperature and couldn't figure it out. Had Anistazio been home I'm sure he could have assisted. Additionaly the shower was not in the best condition. There was noticeable grime and hair in quite a few places, and what appeared to be mold on the ceiling above the toilet. Also, keep in mind that it is a solid walk from city centre. Around 30-40 minutes depending on where you're headed. Definitely doable but nowhere near any nightlife. You would have to walk or taxi to be near anything. Overall I did enjoy my stay, and feel it would have been better if booked further in advance.

Braden2016-01-13T00:00:00Z

The apartment was great, we only stayed for a night, our last night, and it was comfortable and spacious. The host was quite high energy and ready to greet us, unfortunately we didn't have quite same energy as it was our 12th day, and our 5th plane ride. However the place did its just and we all slept comfortably and liked that the location was near the airport as well as the city center.

Stone2016-08-27T00:00:00Z

Anastazio is a great host living in a superb place. We had some problems with our GPS but Anastazio helped us out. The bed was big enough for 2 1/2, the shower as well as the kitchen are awesome too. Thank you for hosting us our first day of our trip and take care!

Chrissy2015-06-13T00:00:00Z

Room type

Entire home/apt

Property Type

Apartment

Accommodates

7

Bedrooms

I share the apartment with my girlfriend Carmen and we welcome you to our cosy home. Its a very relaxed atmosphere, we enjoy playing music, drinking tea and discussing the meaning of milk.
-> Please note: Starting from August we will also be sharing the Apartment with our Cat "Frank Fluff".

There are many things on the walls to be looked at and to be discovered, great books to be read and many guitars to be played.
->Please be aware that this is an apartment, so everything is a bit "smaller" especially the kitchen. It isn't really suitable for cooking big meals, however quick breakfasts and snacks are no problem!
If you are thinking of arriving by car, please be aware that parking at our apartment is very difficult and expensive, as it is a ‘pay and display’ system. Free parking in Ranelagh is only available between the hours of 7pm and 7am Monday to Saturday. (Sunday is free parking all day)

We live in Ranelagh - trust us, you will love it!

We enjoyed the quaint little village that Laurence and Carmen live in. The restaurants, transportation, were easy to get to. We didn't get a chance to meet Carmen but Laurence was very nice we and helpful. We enjoyed our stay with Laurence and Carmen.

Veronica 2017-06-02T00:00:00Z

Here is great place when you plan to stay Dublin! The location is very good with near tram station and infront of bus station. And Laurence is very friendly and kind! Also her cat is really cute!!! It was great to stay here.!

MinJae2017-08-06T00:00:00Z

Laurence and Carmen were fantastic! Their place was very clean and inviting, and was a close walking distance to the city center, as well as to public transport. They were very helpful and made sure I was able to get into the place alright and helped me with directions to the airport. They are just wonderful people in general also! Would totally stay with them again!

Shelby2017-07-28T00:00:00Z

Laurence and Carmen are really welcoming people :) we got the wrong location in the first place (I think that's a (SENSITIVE CONTENTS HIDDEN) mishap) but in the end the door wasn't hard to find. We arrived late but still had a nice chat with both of them. Also their flat is just as cool as you can see on photos(actually better); we're glad to have chosen this small but cozy flat! The location is really good, super close to a tram station. We had a tight schedule otherwise could have walked to the city center too. It was a short time we had but definitely would be the choice if coming back again! Thank you guys!

Ami2017-05-18T00:00:00Z

Hi , Great room in a fun apartment. The organization was very good, since Carmen & Laurence were very reactive. And they flexible concerning the booking. The room was confortable, great bed. Could be a bit noisy with the tram when the window is open, but nothing to complain about ;). The location is very good, 10 min walk from downtown. If you are tired from your Dublin exploration , the tram stops just around the corner! Great stay in Dublin!

Sébastien2017-07-24T00:00:00Z

This was a perfect spot to start out in Ireland. Laurence & Carmen provided detailed instructions on how to get to the place from the airport which saved us some frustration as this was our first day abroad. They were very helpful with suggestions about the surrounding area and how best to get around as well as being very warm and welcoming. The place itself was cozy and inviting with a comfortable bed and lots of eclectic art on the walls. Would definitely recommend this spot.

Amanda2017-08-11T00:00:00Z

This is a lovely place, very conveniently located in a nice part of town with very easy access to central Dublin. Lovely hosts who made us feel very at home and had endless info about local things to do and places to eat.

Claire2017-07-31T00:00:00Z

Laurence and Carman were very helpful and nice. The room was tidy and flat was very lovley. Even if you stay at this flat and dont go out in Dublin, you can have very good conversations with them. If im heading to Dublin, i will definetly go head to Laurence and Carman to visit them.

Dan2017-08-20T00:00:00Z

Room type

Private room

Property Type

Apartment

Accommodates

2

Bedrooms

Experience authentic Georgian elegance is this unique large OVAL studio apartment, overlooking park. Accommodates two in cosy sleeping loft. Light a fire, cook dinner in the designer kitchen, and then head out to enjoy the attractions of the city.

Come cocoon yourself in Georgian luxury and elegance this unique OVAL apartment, situated on Mountjoy Square, in the heart of Dublin’s historic North Georgian Core, just minutes from all the action.
The large studio apartment is on the first floor of a fully restored Georgian townhouse, built in 1792. Both the house and the apartment retain all their Georgian features, combined with modern comforts.
The apartment has a fantastic 10ft window and overlooks a quiet side street, with an oblique view of the square. Other features include a fine, working, black Kilkenny marble fireplace with a spectacular gilt over-mantle mirror. The log basket is fully stocked- we charge cost price for the fuel used on an 'honour system'.
The fully equipped kitchen with granite worktop has a gas hob, electric oven, microwave, dishwasher, electric kettle and a toaster. Eat around the 1770's oval dining table with four Georgian chairs. The rest of the apartment is comfortably furnished with antique furniture, Irish where possible, and a luxurious 6 ft. sofa. A large flat-screen TV, and a DVD player and iPod/iPhone player/dock for music are also provided.
The bed is upstairs and overlooks the apartment. It has a comfortable hotel-quality double bed, Siberian white goose down duvet and pillows and pure Pima/ Egyptian cotton sheets. Read in comfort with vintage Anglepoise reading lights. PLEASE NOTE that the head height in the loft is somewhat restricted, and the bed is consequently low.
The apartment is designed for two people, but a hotel-quality, foldaway bed is available for a third guest. A surcharge of €10, to cover the cost of the extra laundry, will be applied if two people occupy the apartment as as twin. This will be collected in cash, upon arrival.
The bathroom has a high-pressure shower and loads of storage space.
•You will receive a welcome pack of the basics- quality tea, coffee, home-made granola and preserves, with fresh bread.
•100% cotton bed linen and towels are provided
•Local tourist information and guide books available
•Free wi-fi
•Hair dryer
•Fuel, at cost price, is available for the fire, if required.
•Washing machine and dryer are available in the building -€7.50
•Secure off-street parking is available for €5 per night
CHECK-IN is from 3pm, and CHECK-OUT by 11am, please. We are happy to take in your luggage earlier; please let us have your flight details/travel arrangements, so that we can plan our day around being here to greet you.
The house is perfectly located for exploring the city; all of the city's cultural institutions are within walking distance and the transport connections are excellent.
Airport bus (41) passes door, 8 min. walk to LUAS Red line, DART, (Connolly and Tara) and city busses. Dublin Bikes stand opposite house.
KARIN'S GUIDE TO THE CITY
LOCAL GROCERY SHOPPING, SERVICES AND BREAKFAST OPTIONS
In general, shopping hours are 9.30-6pm, with late-night shopping till 8pm on Thursdays. Sunday opening is from noon.
BREAKFAST
The Old Music Store, on North Frederick Street is comfortable and offers a good cooked breakfast. The no-frills Kingfisher Café, on the corner of Parnell Square and Parnell Street West offers a good freshly cooked Irish breakfast and very good fish and chips later in the day.
LOCAL GROCERY SHOPPING
Tops in Pops, just down the street to the right, for fresh local produce and basic groceries, 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. They are a fourth-generation local business, who have been trading on the site since 1931. The Londis corner store next door opens 8am to 10pm, but charge for privilege. There is an ATM machine at the back, right hand side of the store.
Dunne's Stores, is the indigenous supermarket and department store chain, and has branches in every sizeable town throughout the country. There are two local branches. In North Earl Street, opposite O’Connell Street’s Spire, the Off-Licence (liquor store) is in a separate premises, a few doors apart - look for the James Joyce statue. You will find a bigger branch in the ILAC Shopping Centre, flanked by Henry Street, Moore Street and Parnell Street West (Moore Street entrance is opposite Paris Bakery).
There is Metro Tesco on Parnell Street West, just past the Rotunda Hospital. A main branch is to be found in the basement of the Jervis Centre, off Henry Street.
Carney’s Butchers, is another multi-generational local family business, which prides itself on the quality of its meat. In keeping with local tradition, they sell fresh fish on Friday’s.
F.X. Buckley’s Butchers have two local branches; Moore Street and Talbot Street. This is a very old Dublin business and they have everything; free-range pork, beef and lamb from their own herds, poultry, game in season and fish, and, in the Moore Street branch, a deli counter for cooked meats next door. They are very obliging, and the lads have a great line in smart (sassy) chat.
PHARMACIES
Foley's Pharmacy on Parnell Street East is a 100+ year-old family business; they are very helpful. Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am 6pm.
There is a late-night pharmacy, Hickey’s at 55 Lower O’Connell Street, (west side, within the block closest to the river). Opening hours: 8am -10pm M-F, 8.30am-10pm Saturday. 10am 10pm Sunday. Web: (email hidden)
POST OFFICES
Nearest Post Office is Parnell Street East, at corner of Marlborough Street, but much nicer is the GPO, O’Connell Street. 1828 façade, but badly damaged in the 1916 Rising, and largely rebuilt in 1928. The main hall is beautiful, with its entire original, 1928, fittings intact. It also contains the iconic statue, by Oliver Shepherd, The Dying Cuchullin. You will find a booklet with postal rates in the black folder.
BANKS
Allied Irish Bank has a branch on O’Connell Street, at the SW junction with Parnell Street, opposite the Rotunda Hospital. ATM in the wall.
Bank of Ireland has a branch at Lower O’Connell Street, on the east side of the street, between Middle Abbey Street and Ashton Quay. ATM inside, opens
MEDICAL AND DENTAL PRACTICES
Mountjoy Medical Practice, Dr. Gerry Roebuck, Dr. Holly Porter (female) Dr. Colm Killeen. 2-3 Baker’s Yard, Portland Street (website hidden) (phone number hidden).
Opening hours 9-1.30 and 3.30-5.30. You can just drop in. €50 per visit.
Frederick Dental Clinic, Dr. Peter Dwyer, North Frederick Street.
-My dentist- is happy to see people on an emergency basis. Call for (website hidden)(phone number hidden).
NORTHSIDE
LOCAL RESTAURANTS:
'The Cobalt Cafe', in a beautiful Georgian house on North Great Georges Street, which doubles as a gallery, is great for lunch. Parnell Street, Dublin's emerging 'Chinatown' is just a half a block to the south. Newly opened, on Parnell Square West is 'The Hot Stove', serving modern Irish food in a smart and comfortable setting.
Across O'Connell Street, on Moore Street, you will find the Paris Bakery, and (new) Deli. They serve all day, until 10 pm; superb pastries and great coffee from 8am, as well as excellent bistro-style meals, and fantastic bread.
Nearer the river, 'Le Bon Crubeen' (crubeen=pig's trotter- it's a modern Franco-Irish restaurant) is on Talbot Street, as is the venerable and immensely popular 'Talbot 101'. It is packed to the gunnels with locals between 5.54 and 7.15, enjoying their pre-theatre supper before the Abbey curtains rise at 7.30, when they relinquish their seats for the rest of us!
On the riverfront, I love Panem, facing the Millennium Bridge, for a quick coffee and a delicious Sicilian almond biscuit, baked on the premises. A few doors down, you'll find a cluster of Italian bars, cafes and restaurants serving good quality food. Half a block to the east is the trendy 'Winding Stairs' restaurant, with its book-lined walls (relics of a former second-hand bookshop-cum-cafe of the same name), while back on Capel Street, locals rave about Brother Hubbard for lunch.
LOCAL PUBS include the 'Hill 16' just opposite the house, on Gardiner Street - very popular with the GAA crowd on match days (the Gaelic Athletic Association Stadium, Croke Park, is just 3 blocks to the east), they pull a superb 'pint'. ‘The Heritage Parnell’, on Parnell Street West, just around the corner from O’Connell Street 'The Flowing Tide', on the corner of Marlborough Street, opposite the Abbey Theatre, is one of my favorites - after the curtain goes down in the Abbey, half the cast are likely to be at the bar. A few doors closer to O’Connell Street is Mulligan’s, another very nice pub, dating from the Edwardian era. 'The Church' on Mary Street, in a converted 1720's church, is another fine place for a drink; the former owner won many accolades for the high quality of the restoration. Capel Street has many typical local pubs, which have the added benefit of serving a largely local population. They include 'O’Neill’s' and 'Slattery's which is good for music. 'The Black Sheep' has the local craft beers covered, and does good bar food, (as does its sister pub, ‘The Brew Dock’, on Store Street, at the bottom of Gardiner Street. The north side traditional music 'musician’s' bar is 'The Cobblestone', at the top of Smithfield, and is suitably grungy.
DEPARTMENT STORES AND FASHION
Henry Street, off O’Connell Street, at the SPIRE, is the premier shopping street on the north side of the river. Here you will find Arnott’s the local department store, which highlights Irish fashion and design, throughout the store, and has several nice cafes. Henry Street also contains large branches of Debenhams and Marks&Spencers, as well as branches of most of the high street fashion chains. There are two large shopping centres, the Jervis, with a large branch of Tesco’s in the Basement, and the ILAC, which has a Dunnes Department Store, with a Food Hall in the basement. (You can shop for fresh produce on adjacent Moore Street, Dublin's oldest street market, now also home to a thriving cluster of ethnic food markets and restaurants.) Clery’s Department Store is on O’Connell Street- have a look at the elegant 1940’s neo-classical façade, a mini version of Selfridges’s in London.
NORTHSIDE CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
The North side of Parnell Square is home to the city's Hugh Lane Gallery of Modern Art; we share a significant collection of Impressionist painting with the Tate Gallery in London, part of the Hugh Lane Bequest, which is rotated in seven-year cycles. Next door is the Writer's Centre, and next door again, is the Writer's Museum, with a Michelin-starred restaurant in the basement, the amazing Chapter One. Down on the East side of Parnell Square is the beautiful jewel-box that is the Gate Theatre - part of the 18th-century entertainment complex established by the entrepreneurial Dr. Bartholomew, to help support his new Rotunda Maternity Hospital (the oldest purpose-built such hospital in the world, and still delivering babies on a daily basis, 270 years later (9000 is 2012).
You could be seated in either the Abbey or Gate Theatres within 10 minutes of leaving the house, and the James Joyce Cultural Centre is even closer, on North Great Georges Street (don't forget to check out the Cobalt Cafe, opposite).
Hop on the Luas Red Line, going west, in Abbey Street, halfway between Mountjoy Square and the river, and you will be dropped at the ‘Museum’. The National Museum, Collins Barracks, housed in an old military barracks, dating from 1702, contains the Decorative Arts Collections, (basically, everything post 1700). Descend at the next stop, ‘Heuston’ for IMMA, Ireland's National Museum of Modern Art, housed in the old Kilmainham Hospital, built in the1660’s. It pre-dates the more famous Chelsea Hospital in London by several years.
Not to be missed is the Old Jameson Distillery, in Smithfield. Jameson was distilled here until 1971, when three historic distilleries amalgamated, and centralized distilling in Midleton, Co. Cork. The Museum is very well presented; one is guided around the distilling floor, among the huge old pot stills before retiring to the Bar to sample the goods.
Nearby is one of the oldest churches in Dublin, St.Michan’s, on Church Street, dating from the mid-11thc. There are several mummified bodies in the basement, thought to be Crusaders. When I was a child, one was allowed to shake their hands…..
SOUTHSIDE
In the south city centre, the RESTAURANT HUB is in the pedestrian streets to either side of Grafton Street, and in Temple Bar. Particular favourites of mine include:
* Nede, Temple Bar Square
* Eden Bar and Grill, South William Street
* The Green Hen, Wicklow Street
* Fallon and Byrne, Exchequer Street, basement wine-bar, full service restaurant first- floor, and coffee bar within the food-hall on the ground floor.
* Fade Street Social, Fade Street, tapas bar and full-service restaurant.
* The Rustic Stone, Exchequer Street, upmarket, sophisticated and healthy ‘fast food’.
* Cornucopia, Wicklow Street- vegetarian café day, full service by evening.
* The Port House, South William Street, wine bar and tapas.
* Pinxto, Crowe Street, Temple Bar, as above, same management.
Southside city-centre TRADITIONAL PUBS we like are:
* Mulligan's, Poolbeg Street
* Neary's, Chatham Street
* Grogan’s, South William Street
* International Bar, Wicklow Street
* O'Neill's, Suffolk Street
* The Dawson Lounge, Dawson Street
* The Stag's Head, Connaught Court
* The Long Hall, South Great Georges Street
* Doheny and Nesbitt’s, Merrion Row
* Kehoe’s, South Anne Street
* The Duke, Duke Street
Fronting the river, TEMPLE BAR, with its vibrant mix of independent shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, markets and cultural institutions occupies an area three blocks deep and ten blocks long. At the western end, look out for the two branches of the Queen of Tarts- a wonderful teas shop that offers really good home baking and teas and coffees, all served on mismatched antique china (Lord Edward Street and Cow's Lane).
TEMPLE BAR FARMERS MARKET, is held every Saturday in Meeting House Square, 9-4.30, now has a smart new tensile roof for wet days, and is a good place to rub shoulders with the locals, whilst sampling local food culture. Don’t miss the Oyster Stall, Hick’s Pork Butchers, or David Llewyllan’s fantastic ‘Double L’ local cider- 100% apple (not even water), and the two local cheese stalls, among others. Don’t’ forget to check out the overflow stalls on Curved Street, where Rossa Crowe’s fantastic bread is on offer- Rossa took himself off to France for two years to train, and now produces slow fermented breads, made with the very best organic flours.
NORTHSIDE CULTURAL ATTACTIONS
TRINITY COLLEGE is a good orientation point; from here it is easy to find the mediaeval core, the cultural/political hub of the country around Kildare Street, and the Grafton Street fashion hub.
The campus occupies a 40-acre (16ha.) site, and is over 400 years old, though what one sees today are mainly beautiful eighteenth-century buildings. It is worth a wander around, after a visit to spectacular Long Library, to see the Book of Kells and other illustrated Celtic manuscripts.
From Front Gate, look south to Grafton Street or west up College Green and Dame Street, which lead to the mediaeval core. At the brow of the hill you will find:
* Dublin Castle (visit the State Apartments, the Chester Beatty Library and the lovely garden in front (which is actually the helicopter-landing pad for the Castle).
* The City Hall with its 'Museum of the Capital' in the basement is worth a look- the Hall is free, and there is a nominal charge for the Museum.
* Christchurch Cathedral
* Dublinia-in the Christchurch Chapterhouse (Viking Exhibition).
* Old Saint Audeon's Church, built almost into the city wall.
* St Patrick's Cathedral, and historic park beside.
* Marshe's Library-the oldest public library in these islands, 1701.
* Francis Street- the Antiques Quarter.
* Thomas Street/Meath Street, for a touch of 'Old Dublin'.
* The Guinness Storehouse.
* Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, (IMMA) Ireland's National Gallery of Modern Art, with its wonderful, recently restored formal garden.
KILMINHAM GAOL is worth a visit, and tells the story of Irish Nationalism. It can be reached via the grounds of IMMA, passing Bully’s Acre, and old graveyard, where Brian Boru was reputedly rested on his way to his final burial place in Armagh.
Alternatively, exit onto Nassau Street, with its cluster of high-quality shops showcasing the best of Irish crafts - fashion, knitwear, weaving, glassware, ceramics and contemporary jewellery - the Kilkenny Shop has a great cafe upstairs, with views over College Park.
Continue along the College Park railings till you reach Kildare Street, the cultural-institutional hub of the country. All of our national cultural institutions have free admission. Here you will find the National Library, and the National Museum, facing each other over the forecourt of Leinster House, home to the Oireachtas, our National Parliament. The National Library has a lovely exhibit on the poet, W.B. Yeats, and the Treasury, in the National Museum houses both the Bronze Age and Early Christian collections.
On the opposite side of the block, on Merrion Street/Merrion Square, you will find the National Gallery, and the Natural History Museum (known to Dubliner's of my father's generation, as 'The Dead Zoo’. This is a very refreshing look to the past, with absolutely no interpretation, and nothing, not even a postcard, to buy).
The National Gallery is halfway through a four-year renovation programme; in the meantime, the Millennium Wing, on Clare Street, has a ‘highlights of’ exhibition, and the Café and Gift Shop are also accessed via the Clare Street Entrance.
GETTING AROUND
Two operators offer Hop-On/Hop-Off tours:
(website hidden)
(website hidden)
They both offer a 2-day ticket, and cost roughly the same price - check them out online before you make up your mind.
One can buy an integrated LEAP card in most newsagents, at train stations, and in the Dublin Bus Head Office at 42 O’Connell Street (on the west side of the street, just north of the Spire). This can be used on the LUAS, DART, some suburban mainline trains, and on Dublin Bus routes.
There is also a 3-day tourist pass, the Freedom Ticket, which provides good value. €28 will give you 72 hours transport, starting at the Airport; Airlink from the airport, the Hop-On-Hop –Off tourist bus and all local bus routes. Web: (website hidden)
•The DART, the local electric commuter train, runs north/south along the coast. The northside city centre station is Connolly, on Amiens Street, facing Talbot Street, but I usually suggest people use Tara Street, as Connolly is also a mainline station, and is very big, and a bit confusing. Tara is purely a commuter station, and is about the same distance. It is on George’s Quay, just south of the Custom House. The other south-side city centre station is Pearse, on Westland Row, at the south end of the Trinity campus.
•The LUAS Red Line runs east-west through the north side of the city, as far east as the docks, and serves both Connolly and Heuston mainline stations. The nearest stop to Mountjoy Square is Abbey, on Middle Abbey Street, opposite the Abbey Theatre. The LUAS Green Line serves the south suburbs; Ranelagh, Dundrum, Leopardstown Racecourse, and on out to Cherrywood, on the county boundary with Wicklow.
•Main cross-city bus routes run north-south through O’Connell Street. The No.7 terminates on Mountjoy Square North, and there is a ‘shopper’s fare’ of 70c, to Grafton Street- alight at Trinity. On the return journey it skirts the Trinity campus and comes along Pearse, to the east of the campus - catch it on Clare Street, at the Millennium wing of the National Gallery.
•DUBLIN BIKES are free to use for the first half hour, and have a stand on Mountjoy Square West, but one needs to go to the Princes Street stand (to the right hand side of the General Post Office (GPO)), to purchase a short term card. It costs €2, and is only available to credit card holders.
SHOPPING WITH A DIFFERENCE
Those interested in the local fashion, art and design scene should look out for the following addresses (in no particular order):
•Designist, South Great George's Street (stock chosen for good design)
•Irish Design Store, Drury Street
•Article, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre (housewares)
•Irish Designer Store, Top floor Powerscourt Townhouse Centre
•Cow's Lane Gallery, Temple Bar (artist’s collective)
•The Jam Factory, Nicholas Street (artist’s collective)
•Avoca, Suffolk Street
•Kilkenny Shop, Nassau Street
•Designyard, South Frederick Street (jewellery)
•Louise Kennedy, couturier, Merrion Square, and Tipperary Crystal
•Gallery Zozimus, Francis Street (art gallery and carefully chosen crafts)
•Graphic Studio Gallery, Temple Bar (artist-printmaker’s gallery)
•Malthouse Design Centre and Shop, Distillery Court, 537 North Circular Road, just around the corner from Mountjoy Square (cluster of design-led businesses, 10-5 M-F)
•Magee's of Donegal, Wicklow Street, and,
•Kevin and Howlin, Nassau Street have hand-woven tweeds covered.
•Dubarry's, College Green produce wonderful, country-style outerwear, including the most perfect alternative to sweaty, waterproof Wellington boots…
•Monaghan's, Hibernian Way, the House of Ireland on Nassau Street and the Sweater Shops on Wicklow Street and Nassau Street has the best selections of traditional knitwear. Monaghan's specialise in cashmere.
•Murphy and Sheehy, Castle Market, stock Irish tweed, Irish linen and a quirky selection of designer fabrics. Look out for their ‘Linen Union (linen/cotton blend) Glass Cloths- the best ever for polishing glassware, they make a super, useful, inexpensive and lightweight traditional gift!
•The Cloth Shop, St. William Street, for interesting designer fabric, including a good selection of Irish Linen, and Liberty of London
INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOPS and MUSIC STORES
Eason’s, O’Connell Street, is a Dublin institution for over 100 years. It encompasses a large stationery department, a branch of Tower Records on the top floor, academic books in the basement, a nice café and two floors of general books. It is a good place to browse books of Irish interest, and they have a really good Information Desk.
Chapters, Parnell Street West is my ‘local’. John Gannon is one of the best booksellers in the business, and his staff are hand-picked enthusiastic bibliophiles, one and all. Stock is a mixture of the latest releases, and carefully chosen remaindered books. Their ordering service is superlative, and they ALWAYS know exactly what one is talking about, even with just the vaguest, half-remembered clues from a newspaper review. Very strong on contemporary fiction, natural history, non-fiction and books of Irish interest. Extensive second-hand section upstairs.
The Secret Bookstore, Wicklow Street is another favourite. It’s tucked away down a passage, near the L’Occitane shop and often throws up gems among its large second-hand stock. An eclectic music store occupies the rear of the shop.
Cathach Rare Books, Duke Street, specializes in Irish first editions, and have an interesting selection of Irish maps and prints.
Stokes Books is another interesting antiquarian/secondhand shop, specializing in books of Irish interest. You’ll find it in Georges Street Arcade.
Claddagh Records, Cecelia Street, Temple Bar, is primarily a music publisher, but they have a retail outlet in Temple Bar, which is the oldest independent music shop in Dublin, and specializes in traditional Irish music, with some interesting World Music additions.
The Celtic Note, on Nassau Street, beside the Kilkenny Shop is another good bet.
PLACES OF WORSHIP:
Roman Catholic:
Many Catholic churches have Mass on Saturday evening, in addition to morning Masses.
•St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, Upper Gardiner Street. Gospel Mass, 7.30pm Sundays, September to mid June.
•St. Mary's Metropolitan Church - the Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough. Sung Mass, 11am, Sundays, with the Palestrina Choir.
•St. Joseph’s Church, Berkeley Road, Dublin 7.
•St. Teresa’s Church, Clarendon Street Church, choir sings at 11 o’clock Mass, Sunday’s
•St. Peter’s Church, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, has wonderful Harry Clarke (phone number hidden)) stained glass windows.
•Whitefriars Street Church, Aungier Street, church has relics of St. Valentine.
Church of Ireland:
•Christchurch Cathedral, Christchurch Place, sung Services Sundays,
•St. Patrick's Cathedral, Nicholas Street, sung Services Sundays.
•St. Anne’s Church, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Jewish:
Dublin Hebrew Congregation
(website hidden)
Daily services in Synagogue at 32a Rathfarnham Road,
Public Transport:
Buses: (PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN).
Get off at Terenure Cross (road). Walk up Rathfarnham Road, pass AIB Bank and one row of terraced houses; shul is next building, with wooden/metal security gates. Across the street is a shop called Window Fashions.
Dublin Jewish Progressive Congregation (DJPC)
Website: (website hidden)
Email: (email hidden)
Postal: PO Box 3059, Dublin 6
President: Mrs. Hilary Abrahamson
Muslim:
Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI)
19 Roebuck Road, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14,
Tel: (phone number hidden)
Islamic Foundation of Ireland (IFI)
163 South Circular Road, Dublin (website hidden): (phone number hidden)
Anwar-up-Madina
Moore Street, Dublin 1.
SHORT TRIPS OUTSIDE THE CITY BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
NORTH:
Catch the No.46A bus, (heading north on O'Connell Street to the Phoenix Park- the largest enclosed urban park in the world, 1750 acres behind a seven-mile-long stone wall. Ashtown Castle Interpretive Centre, with its wonderful walled garden and café is a good place to orient oneself. From here, on Saturdays, it is possible to visit Aras an Uachtarian, the official residence of our President. One can also visit Farmliegh, the Official State Guesthouse, a former Guinness mansion. Among it’s attractions are an art gallery, café, occasional free concerts, and regular weekend Farmer’s Markets. The Park also houses the Dublin Zoo, (1827, the second-oldest Zoo in the world, after London’s Regent Park Zoo). Several herd of Fallow Deer roam at liberty.
Many sports are catered for; there is Polo ground, a cricket club, and lots soccer pitches. The Duke of Wellington is commemorated by a marvelous granite obelisk, which can be seen for miles. The area know as the Forty Acres affords superb views over the city, with the Royal Hospital and Guinness in the foreground, along the south side of the River Liffey. Phoenix Park can also be reached via the LUAS Red Line, direction Tallagh, heading west. Alight at 'Museum' and take a detour into the National Museum-Collins Barracks, which houses the Decorative Arts, post-1700, wonderful collections of silver, furniture, glass and other artifacts.
Just up the road, in Glasnevin there are three worthwhile attractions: Glasnevin Cemetary, was founded by Daniel O’Connell as one of his first initiatives, post Catholic Emancipation in 1829, to provide a dignified place for Catholic burial. The Glasnevin Musuem is new, and has superlative displays of Nationalist history. They also have a very good Geneology Department.
The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, date from the end of 18thC. Though relatively small, they contain an internationally-aclaimed collection of plants and three iconic Glasshouses, by Turner of Dublin, which have all been restored in the recent past. There is a nice café in the Gardens, and entry is free. The Gravedigger’s Pub, over-looking a Green, is not to be missed. It got its name from the fact that there used to be a hatch in the rear wall, through which the gravediggers were served. They do nice simple pub food, and one can sit outside on sunny days. Walk back into town, and stop at either the The Botanic Bar at Harte’s Corner or the Brian Borus, typicl local bars. The Porter House, at Cross Guns Bridge, which is a micro-brewery, with nice food, is on the corner of the Royal Canal. Take a stroll east down the canal bank, and you will see swans, and moor-hens going about their business. At the next bridge, at Dorset Street look out for the lifesize bronze statue of Brendan Behan, a local author. From here is just a few minute’s stroll up Belvidere Place, with its charming stepped terraces of tall Georgian houses, to Mountjoy Square.
Another favorite is the Marino Casino, in Fairview/Clontarf, an early 18th century pleasure house, built to the design of Sir William Chambers, for Lord Charlemont, purely for entertaining, also just a few miles by bus, north of the city centre.
Catch the DART, the coastal commuter train, heading north, at Tara Street Station, on the South Liffey quays, at Butt Bridge, and take a short ride. You have the choice of Howth (a working fishing village) or Malahide.
Howth Demesne or Howth Head, behind the village will both afford walks with great views; the Harbour has a dozen restaurants along the quay- ranging from take-out fish and chips to the very upmarket. Book an early-evening window table at Aqua, and be astonished by the sunset over the coast, looking north-west. Another favourite of mine is Deep, midway along the quay (and do watch out for the local tame and greedy Harbour Seal, who begs shamelessly from the trawler men, who tie up alongside).
Malahide is a charming village, with some of the most expensive urban residential properties in the country. Good food and good shopping are to be had here. On the edge of the village you will find Malahide Castle and Demesne, open to the public, which includes a renowned private Arboretum, as Milo de Malahide, the last of his family, (who had occupied the castle continuously since Norman times, in the 10th-12th centuries) was a significant plants-man. The Castle contains the National Portrait Collection, as was as magnificent furniture and other contents. There is a smart new branch of the AVOCA Shop and Café in the Courtyard.
SOUTH:
South of the city you will find Rathfarnham Castle, and its Berkeley Costume and Toy Collection. Marley Park is a little further, just at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. It has wonderful parkland with easy walks, and a magnificent walled garden with a nice cafe. The No.16 bus, from O’Connell Street will leave you close by.
Powerscourt is at the edge of Enniskerry, its associated estate village, at the end of the No.44 bus route, which winds its way through the south side suburbs, into Wicklow, through the Scalp, a deep and picturesque glacial valley. The 19th century gardens are fabulous, and make great use of the 'borrowed landscape' beyond. The terrace and Nepture fountain are centred on the Sugarloaf mountain, which marks the beginning of the Wicklow Mountains. The Powerscourt Waterfall, part of the same estate, is a few miles further on, and there are beautiful, way-marked, woodland and moorland walks in the hills nearby. Do be mindful; these ‘mountains’ can be deceptive- while not high, they can be treacherous, as weather conditions can change in minutes. Stick to the way-marked paths, and do keep an eye on the weather.
Take the DART south to Bray and Greystones - via Dun Loughaire, Dalkey and Killiney - all interesting villages, with many cafes and restaurants.
Killiney Hill, with its eighteenth century obelisk at the summit, is a short climb that results in amazing views over Dublin Bay, and down into the Wicklow Mountains beyond. There is a nice pub in in the ‘village’- ‘The Druid’s Chair’.
Dalkey is a charming village with old-fashioned shops and lots of nice pubs, cafes and restaurants. The local Dalkey Castle Heritage Centre, is worth checking out, and in the summer run a theatre programme, and walking tours.
Bray Esplanade is a classic Victorian seaside amenity, sturdily built from local granite - the perfect place to enjoy an ice-cream. Campo di Fiori, either the Restaurant or the Café, both near the train station and the north end of the Promenade, are particular favourites of mine.
If one is feeling energetic, one could contemplate the Cliff Walk from Bray to Greystones - 4miles/6km along the rough cliff path. Lots of nice pubs for a pint of Guinness at the other end, The Hungry Pear is my favourite café, among many. The DART will take you straight back into the city. But.. make sure to do it in the morning, as by mid-day the path is in shade, and it can be windy and cold.
WEST:
Travelling into the rich plains of Kildare, by the No. 67 bus route, you will come to the historic village of Celbridge, just twelve miles from the city centre. Castletown House is Ireland's finest Palladian mansion, and was saved from destruction by Desmond Guinness, in the early 1960's. He purchased it from the construction company who had acquired it. They intended to demolish it, to make way for a vast suburban housing estate. The Irish Georgian Society, founded by Desmond Guinness, restored the house and furnished it with the help of many volunteers and sponsors, and opened it to the public, a heroic task for a small membership conservation society. Today, it is in State ownership, and it is the flagship Georgian heritage property of Ireland. It is beautifully presented, and the parklands are undergoing restoration.
A local bus, or the commuter train from Connolly Station in Amiens Street, will take one to Maynooth, a charming University town, with another magnificent Palladian mansion, Carton House, now operating as a very upmarket hotel and golf club.
Lots of companies offer day-long coach tours. Some involve very long days, i.e, Cliffs of Moher in Clare and the Giant’s Causeway on the Antrim coast. Two more local, and very worthwhile ones are either:
The Boyne Valley Tour (Newgrange Neolithic ( 5000 yr old World Heritage Site) / Mellifont Cistercian ruins- (12thC.)/ Monasterboice Early Christian (6th-8thC.)
The Wicklow-Glendalough Tour (Powerscourt / Wicklow Mountains National Park and Glendalough (Glen of the Two Lakes) a 6thC. Early Christian site, in beautiful wooded valley.
Details of both of these trips, and others, are available in the big black folder in the apartment.

A beautiful, historic residential square, built in 1790's, within 5-10 minutes walk of down-town city centre. Elegance and convenience combined with a bit of inner city grittiness. I have loved it all, since 1978!
Mountjoy Square is situated just NE of the historic city centre, within walking distance of just about all the main city attractions. It is the most densely populated area in the entire city: 1500 people have front doors opening onto the Square.
The house fronts onto a 4acre/1.5ha park, across a fairly busy street. This apartment faces the side street, so it is quieter, but you will still hear traffic.....Please bear in mind that this is NOT LEAFY SUBURBIA, but a vibrant, living city community and it's definitely gritty in places... Having said that, I have lived here, uneventfully, for nearly 38 years, and consider the trade-offs well worth it, for the excitement and convenience of having the city on my doorstep..

We stayed at Karin's place twice, because we booked in advance without seeing the place. On the plus, Karin did allow us to keep the front door key making our return easy. As well as kept a travel bag in storage. Our return was a dreaded experience because we knew from the other visit that the apartment would be hot, and street noise was going to loud. Which it was on both accounts. The cab driver said to us too bad the homes were not located on the other side of town.... beautiful old row houses in a safe clean neighborhood. Mountjoy square has too many problems to regain the gentry it once experienced generations ago. For the money you will spend at Karin's place, look for a unit in a safer neighborhood. My mistake was to rely on airbnb too much and I did not conduct separate searches on the area. Read about this area: (URL HIDDEN)

Gene2013-07-26T00:00:00Z

Karin was a great host. She had great recommendations for what to do in the area. She was very helpful throughout our trip. Would definitely look her up if we make it back to Dublin.

Lincoln & Alissa2012-09-25T00:00:00Z

We had a wonderful time at the Georgian Studio. Although the owner was out of town, her family members met us at the door and provided helpful information about the area and the apartment. The studio was perfect for our small family of two adults and one 8 year old child. It is about a 10 minute walk to the River and even closer to a great restaurant district with Asian cuisine.

Ben2013-07-04T00:00:00Z

The apartment is very comfortable and clean. We enjoyed every evening by the fireplace. Excellent location, right in the center of town. Karin is a very good host, always ready to help. I recommend to everyone. Livia

livia2014-05-06T00:00:00Z

We stayed for 2 days at this beautiful place, all was perfect organised and Karin was waiting for us until 10pm because our flight arrived late.

Marc2015-11-02T00:00:00Z

Karin was a wonderful host. The place was lovely, conveniently located, and she had lots of great tips and advice for things to do (and eat!) around town. Would stay here again!

Sean2012-11-11T00:00:00Z

The Oval Georgian Studio was perfect for our short stay in Dublin. Karin gave us detailed instructions on how to take the bus from the airport and had all kinds of Dublin information at the studio. We appreciated she left a few things in the fridge for our breakfast. We walked everywhere from the studio and were delighted to find the James Joyce Center just three blocks away where we saw a stunning exhibition of post-war photos by Lee Miller of James Joyce's Dublin.

Carla2014-07-01T00:00:00Z

This is a beautiful apartment with a very flexible, informative, and accommodating host. Located about a 20 minute walk from temple bar and 10 minutes to the museum and post office. The late 1700s architecture and uniqueness of the living space was the perfect way to cap off our Irish Adventure. Apartment was clean, secure, and well organized. Karin also supplied plenty of maps, tourist information, and recommendations on where to eat/what to see that proved very helpful.

Mark2014-07-28T00:00:00Z

Room type

Entire home/apt

Property Type

Apartment

Accommodates

3

Bedrooms

Below is a very brief description of the apartment. All the information and photos will be upgraded very shortly.
Your own door apartment in a gated and secure apartment complex. 20 minutes walk from the City Centre and round the corner from Ranelagh Village, the place in Dublin for going out for a meal and a drink. You can take the Luas (Tram), to the City Centre. The tram stop is in Ranelagh Village.

Room type

Entire home/apt

Property Type

Apartment

Accommodates

3

Bedrooms

The perfect location for any trip to Dublin. This bright and airy mews property is located in Dublin's best area. The property enjoys a convenient location close to Baggot Street where local shops are also within a stone’s throw. A choice of amenities are within a short stroll including St Stephens Green, the Aviva Stadium, and leisurely walks on the Grand Canal. The property also benefits from being with an easy stroll of the National Art Gallery, National Concert Hall, numerous theatres.

The main living area is completely open plan and flooded with natural light. It benefits from a large apex skylight. Neutral colours and soft furnishings create a peaceful calming environment to unwind after a day of exploration.
The roomy bedrooms both include large bay windows, fitted wardrobes, quality linens and towels.

The property commands a high profile location just off Herbert Street. The property is located in the heart of Dublin’s traditional central business district and in close proximity to Fitzwilliam Square and Merrion Square. The area offers a wide variety of amenities close by which include a selection of hotels, restaurants and cafés. Occupiers can also avail of the numerous retail stores located at St Stephens Green and Grafton Street, only 10 minutes’ walk from the property. Occupiers can avail of an abundance of restaurants, bars and cafes on close by Lower Baggot Street which include: The 51 Dublin, Cocu, Searsons, Milano, Donnybrook Fair and many more.

Room type

Entire home/apt

Property Type

House

Accommodates

6

Bedrooms

Ideally located one bedroom apartment with great access to Dublin city centre. St Stephens Green and Grafton St are a 15-20 min walk, or 10 min via the Luas green line tram. A main bus route (including a direct bus to/from O'Connell St and Dublin Airport) is less than a 10 min walk away. The apartment is located just a 5 min walk from the heart of Ranelagh - home to some of the best restaurants and bars in Dublin.

The apartment is located on the first floor and contains one bedroom -
with a king size bed, a separate bathroom, a dining area and living room with a sofa bed, and a kitchen. The kitchen is fully equipped with a fridge freezer, electric oven/cooker, microwave, George Foreman grill, kettle, toaster and a blender. Some basic essentials will also be provided including milk, bread, butter, coffee and a selection of teas. The bathroom has a bath/shower and fresh towels will be provided. The living room includes a TV with over 70 channels and a Chromecast. High speed broadband is available throughout the apartment

The apartment building is situated in a quiet, leafy residential area, with a small park (complete with a pond and ducks!) a 2 minute walk away. A number of supermarkets, along with many bars and restaurants, are within a 5 minute walk.

Room type

Entire home/apt

Property Type

Apartment

Accommodates

4

Bedrooms

In an oasis of calm hedgerows but within easy reach of Dublin city centre, we are one tram stop from Dundum Town Centre, one of the largest shopping, dining and entertainment complexes in Europe.
Dublin city centre is 20 minutes by tram in the other direction. The lovely Dodder river walk, where can be seen herons, cormorants and ducks, and the odd otter, is close by.
University College, Dublin (UCD), is a 17 minute walk, and we are a 4 minute stroll from the Dundrum Business Park.

Facilities (fridge, Nespresso coffee machine, toaster, electric kettle) exist off the bedroom for snacks or a continental style breakfast.
The property is completely self-contained, with its own private entrance. It is secured by electronic gates, and has ample free parking.

Room type

Entire home/apt

Property Type

Apartment

Accommodates

2

Bedrooms

Beautiful 2 bedroom house in Dublin's most prestigious neighbourhood, Donnybrook. Lots of light and space with a small backyard. 1 minute walk to Herbert Park, Donnybrook Fair, Donnybrook Stadium and the American Embassy.

Room type

Entire home/apt

Property Type

House

Accommodates

4

Bedrooms

This comfy 1 bedroom apartment is spacious, comes with a private balcony and free parking space. Luas stop (tram) is a 6 minute walk so you can be in the centre of Dublin in just 16 minutes! Pubs, restaurants & shops nearby.

This is a lived in home so it's got lots of character, and my area guide when you stay is a genuine list of all my favourite places to grab a drink or a bite to eat with friends.

The apartment is right in the middle of Milltown, a nice quiet area nestled between the hustle and bustle of Ranelagh and UCD at Belfield. It's in a relatively small apartment complex so is really quiet at night, but you're just three stops away from Ranelagh on the tram (or a 20 minute walk if you're feeling energetic!) with all it's restaurants, pubs and coffee shops.
Alternatively, and this is basically my routine every Saturday morning, you can walk 5 minutes down the linear park along the river to Clonskeagh, where the Eggs Benedict in 'the 105' is the best in Dublin in my opinion.

Property Type

Accommodates

Bedrooms

5-10 minutes walk to city centre, beautiful canal nearby, great for cycling with Dublin bikes available publically.

We have nice basic bedroom, clean with fresh linen and towels. The bed is a double bed (new), size is 137 x 190 cms. Wooden flooring through out. The area is very safe in a quiet residential area in the midst of the city. Next to the beautiful grand canal with cycling lanes through out. We have just put it on the site and will be updating with photos. Meanwhile, please do ask me if you need any more information that I have missed out.
Please note that the place is suitable for maximum two people and a child. If there is any special requirements please do let us know and we could try and accomodate you in any case.
Recently we were given the title super host. Thanks a lot to everyone who stayed with us. We are humbled and thankful for this. At the same time we find that the expectation is higher! Thus, we have reduced our nightly prices, and thought we should tell you more clearly that the room is not gigantic. It's a basic room, very clean room, with new comfortable bed. It has a lot of privacy as it's at the end of the corridor and is quiet . The bathroom is also kept very clean. I guess cleanliness of your room and bathroom is our main ideology! We are also walking distance to 10 mins grafton street. However the main reason we guess we have got good ratings is because we are genuinely happy to meet people, flexible, and go above and beyond to meet what ever needs you might have.

We had a great time with this family. Excellent location, affordable, flexible family & super kind and welcoming. I would recommend to anyone planning a trip to Dublin!!

Alexiana2017-05-28T00:00:00Z

In a nice location in Dublin. Convenient to public transportation, but it is a bit humid as it is on the ground floor.

Sophia2017-08-17T00:00:00Z

Room is cozy but clean and comfortable. The hosts go out of their way to make sure everything is clean and are exceptionally friendly.

Tyler2017-08-09T00:00:00Z

Lucija was very helpful, providing clear directions and tips. The wifi worked well and the bed was comfortable.

Paul2017-06-03T00:00:00Z

Don't mind the no pictures thing, the room has exactly everything you need: a very comfortable bed for two and a very clean space. The house is very well located, about 15 minutes walk from the Stephen's Green (city centre). The hosts are extremely nice and helpful people. I would definitely stay here again.

Liunis2017-06-07T00:00:00Z

Our stay at Lucija's was wonderful, the environment is friendly and you will feel as at home. I totally suggest you to stay here while visiting Dublin, the location is perfect and central, and they can also give you advices to both have fun or to have a cultural trip around the city.

Domenico2017-03-27T00:00:00Z

Great place to stay, small room but perfect for what we needed. The hosts are very accommodating and friendly.

Sammy2017-07-09T00:00:00Z

Very central but quiet.

Barbara2017-06-13T00:00:00Z

Room type

Private room

Property Type

Apartment

Accommodates

2

Bedrooms

Good sized double room in an amazing location in the city (most of Dublin's embassy's and 5* hotels are in the area). We are a 10 minute walk to Grafton Street, Trinity College, Grand Canal Dock, Landsdowne Road Stadium, DART train service and tram service. There are also a lot of bus routes outside the front door but mostly you will walk to where you need to go we are so central.

Room type

Private room

Property Type

Townhouse

Accommodates

2

Bedrooms

Great location in D 4, 2 mins walk to Donnybrook village.
Quiet area with parking.
Walk to Stephen's Green,RDS,Aviva stadium,Herbert park.
Frequent buses to city centre.
Direct bus to airport.
Shops and restaurants walking distance.
Fully flexible check in/check out times for guests staying more than a week.
I may accommodate flexibility for shorter stay guests if there is not a follow on or previous booking in the apt for that day, please enquire if necessary.
Storage for large bags in hall.

Very suitable for families as rooms are large and safe.
Easy access to city -bus 2 minutes away.
Grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants etc. near-by.
Extra towels or fresh linen etc. provided if staying over a week.

Short walk to Herbert park and playground.

A lovely apartment in a quiet residential area within walking distance from downtown. And Roma is sooo nice!

Boris2017-07-31T00:00:00Z

Great spot to spend a weekend

Aisling2017-09-04T00:00:00Z

I came in Dublin to live here and I had many challenges in front of me in my first week. Many suitcases, finding a house to rent quickly, a big family (we are five, a couple and 3 kids). The apartment was the perfect solution for my family's needs. It's in a quiet condominium and interesting neighborhood with easy access to public transportation with grocery store within walking distance. It's so easy to go to downtown by bus from there. The place is comfortably suitable for 5 people, organized, clean and functional. Flexible check-in and check-out made a huge difference for us. Roma was a great host. She provided us much information about the city and she was concerned about us. She was kind and able to help. She cares about her guests and she hopes they have a great staying. It was my feeling. I will recommend Roma's place for my family and relatives when they come to visit my family.

Cristiane2017-08-07T00:00:00Z

Roma was a great host. Very friendly and caring. The apartment is located in a very convenient and quiet area, which is a huge advantage. The flat was clean and comfortable. We had a great time!

Room type

Property Type

Accommodates

Bedrooms

This is a great cottage for a weekend away or an extended stay in Dublin. The area has an abundance of pubs and restaurants and also has the advantage of being on a quiet safe street. The cottage itself is recently refurbished.
So please make yourself at home when you’re not enjoying the many great restaurants and bars which are only a short walk from the apartment!

The kitchen is fully equipped and includes additional items such as a George Foreman grill, Kitchen Aid, Handheld electric whisk and Nutri-bullet. There is a stairs and king size bed in the bedroom.
There is Sky + HD TV and a Record Player in the living room as well as a selection of boardgames!

Ringsend is located on the south bank of River Liffey. Home to many tech multinational European headquarters and twnety minutes walk away from Dublin city center. It is an attractive area full of nice pubs, restaurants and events.
It's 10 mins walk from The Grand Canal which was designed to connect Dublin, Ireland’s capital city westwards through the midlands with the River Shannon. Nowadays, The Grand Canal has become the gathering point of hundreds of locals who often come for a walk, to cycle and enjoy what the area has to offer.

Room type

Entire home/apt

Property Type

House

Accommodates

2

Bedrooms

My home is close to Merrion Square, Aviva Stadium, 3arena, Bord Gais, the RDS, Ballsbridge, city centre, all transport links, Thrifty car hire, GoCar hire, and the Docklands. A short ten minutes walk to the Stadium and Ballsbridge.
You’ll love my home because it is cosy but well laid out. It was lovingly done up about a year ago. It is only a 20 minute walk to city centre. It would suit couples, solo adventurers and business travellers.